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Driving in Germany: Licenses, Car Ownership, and Public Transport
- Authors
- Name
- Mind & Muster
- @mindandmuster
Driving Licenses
- EU/EEA licenses are valid in Germany
- Non-EU licenses: Valid for 6 months, then must be converted (Umschreibung)
- Some countries have reciprocal agreements, others require a theory/practical test
Car Ownership
- Register your car at the local Zulassungsstelle
- Required: proof of address (Anmeldung), insurance, ID, car documents
- Pay road tax (Kfz-Steuer) and get an emissions sticker (Umweltplakette) for city driving
Insurance
- Haftpflicht (liability) insurance is mandatory
- Comprehensive (Vollkasko) is optional
Public Transport
- Extensive networks in all cities (U-Bahn, S-Bahn, tram, bus)
- Deutschlandticket: €49/month for all local/regional transport
- Deutsche Bahn for intercity trains
Tips
- Parking can be difficult in city centers
- Car sharing (ShareNow, Miles) is popular
- Biking is safe and common in most cities